Devotionals for the Heart: Servants

A Servant Spirit
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” — Luke 1:38 (ESV)

As a woman and as a mother, I am in awe of young Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

Mary was favored by God. This translated to a life of responsibility and hardship rather than ease from suffering. Yet the Bible shows her as accepting of hardship! I say I want God’s favor, but I tend to seek life’s pleasantries. How did this teenager respond in surrender to the news of forthcoming life hijacking?

The Gospel of Luke gives detail to Mary’s story. She’s legally pledged to a man named Joseph, perhaps carrying out her daily duties to her family whilst excitedly gathering goods for her dowry. I imagine she’s daydreaming about her future when there is a knock at her door ... an interruption. God sends His angel Gabriel to Mary. Surprise quickly shifts to confusion as he addresses her.

“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28 ESV)

Mary is greatly troubled with what the angel is saying. The word used for “greetings” in Greek is chairo, which means, “rejoice.” Gabriel isn’t just showing up with a “Hi!” He brings excitement to the scene! It’s as if Gabriel is arriving for a surprise party.

The Greek word for “favored one” is kecharitōmenē, meaning, “to make graceful.” Effectively, Gabriel told Mary, “Rejoice, God is making you great!” That would be shocking and confusing to hear, yet exciting too! However, God’s plan for Mary doesn’t look like the world’s definition of greatness nor standard married life.

Gabriel goes on to reassure this young girl of God’s love and presence with her as he lays out God’s plan for a miraculous pregnancy. She listens to the details of what it means to be blessed. Privilege means responsibility.

My worldly-trained mind has deceived me into believing that if I am a good person, God’s favor will make my life easier. That’s not what God’s messenger told Mary. Mary was chosen to sacrifice her body, marriage and personal plans for the King of the Most High. I struggle with giving up my wants.

Yet Mary’s question is “How will this happen?” The “how” is in the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Luke 1:35 (ESV): And the Angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

The Holy Spirit will come over you ... overshadow you. Mary was to be enveloped by the Holy Spirit ... God’s Spirit overshadowing Mary’s.

“Overshadow” is the key to my locked heart. By that one word, I’m moved to ask myself this question: Who’s Spirit is most important, my spirit or God’s Holy Spirit?

It occurs to me that I have been looking at events of both Mary’s life and my own as difficult without giving much attention to God’s overshadowing of the situation. I have overrated each challenge and underplayed God’s role in them, staring so long at the hurt that I miss the Love.

My spirit has been overshadowing.

Mary responds, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38 ESV). She knows her place. This teenage girl knows that she is a servant. She wants a Lord. She chooses to be overshadowed! That’s how and why she surrendered!

Who better to raise Jesus than a mother accepting her role as a servant? Jesus was raised a servant by a servant! Mary parented by example. Mary chose God’s will over her own saying “Yes, Father.”

Mary’s willingness to serve her Lord and be obedient to His will still applies to us today. I think of the time when one child needed medicine and another financial help, a friend asked for prayer or a neighbor sought work. And to all of those needs, I thought nothing of responding, “Let me help.” Caring for these needs became the priority, my desires overshadowed by serving others.

Maybe God is making me great too, with each opportunity to serve!

This Christmas season, light is shed on a fully surrendered Mother (Mary) and Child (Jesus Christ as a baby). Awe is appropriate! This story of Jesus encourages our hearts. It’s as if Gabriel has come to each of us saying, “Rejoice! God is making you great!”

We, too, can choose to accept our role as servant and trust the Holy Spirit’s power to overshadow ours. Please join me in the surrender to God by praying that His will be done according to His Word. Let’s ask God that we may have the spirit of a servant too!

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Devotionals for the Heart: Burdens

Making our burdens light and telling the world about Jesus Christ
A devotional by Christa MacDonald

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

– Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

September is my least favorite month. With the exception of my firstborn’s birthday, there’s not a thing I like about it. Well, maybe harvest season.

I do like the backyard garden full of tomatoes and chilies, not to mention the farm stands bursting at the seams. We have a short growing season in Massachusetts, so this month is all a race against the first frost to get everything in and preserved or canned for the long winter. But that’s about it.

This is also the official back-to-school month (after a stutter of a few ‘orientation’ days right before Labor Day weekend) and for our particular family, this means three different schools with conflicting dates for open house meetings and various paperwork deadlines. This is our most “broke” month monetarily as well, since my husband’s current primary job is seasonal and in August, it pretty much dries up altogether. 

September is stress to me. Oh yeah, and stress’s cousin, anxiety arrives! This week, I’ve worked longer hours than any other this year and I’m just done.

Jesus knows what it is to work hard, to have life challenge your ability to cope. He is fully God and walked this earth fully human. I think that’s why the verse above appeals to us so much. We’re weary and burdened. Life does that to a person. Jesus knew that firsthand. He created this world, watched as the first humans – created in His image – fell into sin, and lived out His incarnation on the planet that groans under the weight of that sin curse. The thorns that Adam experienced after the curse that happened after Adam and his wife (Eve) sinned, were experienced in quite a different way by our Savior (Jesus Christ) en route to the Cross of Calvary. But there was a difference.

Jesus Christ’s human experience here on Earth was sinless, although He continually encountered the effects of sin. He paid the price of our sins on the cross, but He had to deal with the lesser wages of sin every step of the way from the manger to the grave. He could have cried, “Unfair!” and used His power like a force field, but instead, He showed us His work ethic. Despite everything He went through, Jesus persevered and stayed true to His mission to save our souls.

He deserved none of it, but Jesus humbled Himself and took on the weight of the world for the duration of His whole life on this planet, up to His death on the cross.

We can use Christ’s example of how to deal with the stress, anxiety, pressure, oppression, intolerance, and persecution that we do deserve because we are still under that curse. Christ will give us rest, and we will find rest for our souls when we repent and put our faith in the One who is our Savior and the Lord of our lives.

Jesus is offering us rest beyond our understanding. He’s offering us work too, but learning from Him, the task is easy. He’s recruiting souls for the Gospel truth.

This is the amazing thing about Christianity. It’s not a wish-fulfillment faith. Jesus doesn’t offer us money to make our lives easier, or the power to change our circumstances. He offers us a heart transformation to view the burdens of our life through new eyes. He isn’t promising us that life will be easy and untroubled.

Instead, Jesus asking us to join Him in working as His disciples to tell the world about Him and allow God’s love for humankind to change us and everyone we encounter, for the better!

~*~
Author Bio:

Christa MacDonald is a 2017 ACFW Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction.

A native New Englander, she was inspired by her travels through the north woods of Maine to write The Broken Trail, which would become the first in the Sweet River Redemption series published by Mountain Brook Ink.

Christa's writing focuses on the real-life challenges of the modern world, love’s sometimes crooked path, and the redemptive power of Grace.

When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty.

She and her husband live with their three kids, two cats, and one dog along the coast of New England. Connect with Christa at www.christamacdonald.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Pennies

One Hundred Pennies
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” – Job 42:10 (ESV)

Visiting a friend at his family gathering, a young grandson brought smiles to our faces by practicing his new skills in salesmanship on us.

He was selling rocks packaged in snack bags, freshly collected from the river running directly in front of us. His “bargain price” for these rocks was one dollar.

Unable to resist the dimples and charm of this sweet entrepreneur, the adults dug deep for small cash. As we produced dollar bills, we were quickly informed that the preferred currency was coin. Four shiny quarters were better than one piece of paper and one hundred pennies were highly valued. No one cheated the boy, but he would have gladly accepted two of any coin over one piece of paper. Chuckles and knowing looks were exchanged. It was understood among the adults that soon enough, this child would know better.

While thinking about the value of small pieces, a recent study of the book of Job came to mind. The Old Testament recounts the story of a wealthy, admired man named Job whose blessed life becomes shattered into the least valued pieces of human existence. All of his worldly bragging rights were stripped away. His personal property, business resources, his staff, his children and his health were all destroyed through no fault of his own. It wasn't punishment, as believed by his friends. But, as the Bible book of Job explains it was all part of an unknown spiritual war between good and evil (God and the devil).

The life of Job was broken to fragments, yet he continued to pursue God as the One with the answers. His wife instructed him to turn from God and die. His friends insist Job repent of sin. Eventually, Job did receive an answer. God revealed Himself to Job. Job’s response was humility and praise.

Job prayed for the people who blamed him (Job) for his pain. He prayed for the people who blamed God too. When doing so, Job’s life was restored and blessed. He was made whole.

The story of Job isn't the only biblical example of the value in brokenness. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to Earth to make change. The breaking of Christ was for restoration of the whole. It was an exchange.

Told in the New Testament gospels, Jesus feeds thousands by breaking up a single lunch of bread and fishes into pieces. He prays. He breaks. He fills.

Somehow in some way, more are blessed with the pieces. There is excess where once there was insufficient.

The Gospel of Luke recounts the Last Supper in a way that paints the picture of this divine broken way. Jesus addresses the Apostles in Luke 22:19 (ESV). Let’s read that verse: And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Jesus tears his portion of bread into pieces and hands those pieces to the Apostles. Did they remember serving up the bread and fish to the multitudes? Now Jesus is telling them to do likewise. Tearing and sharing and saying, “Be broken too.”

Jesus took the pain of the world upon himself. He truly did “carry the weight of the world” on His shoulders.

Job prayed for the men who told him that he deserved his brokenness. He asked for God’s blessing on these men. Job made the exchange by accepting the cost of the wound for forgiveness. Healing was the result.

My life is in pieces. Perhaps yours is too. What would happen if we stopped trying to get ourselves together? What if we, like Job, said a prayer for each?

Let’s say a prayer for the hurting, a prayer for the blaming and a prayer for the angry. What if we, like Jesus, accept the pain of the wounding for the abundant joy of the healing and complete restoration that God gives?

How does a child selling rocks for one hundred pennies correlate to the pain of this life here on Earth? It's about value…about God's kingdom economy. How does God use bad for our good? By using it to show what's of higher value.

One hundred pennies, my friends, is still worth a dollar.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Devotionals for the Heart: Christa's thoughts about our human heart

Matters of the Heart
A devotional by Christa MacDonald

He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” –Mark 7:20-23 (NIV)

One of the biggest fallacies in modern thinking is the idea that human beings are basically good and that when someone does wrong, it’s because they were taught to do so or influenced somehow. “He was a good kid until he started hanging around the wrong people.” 

While it’s true that friends can influence each other to do terrible things, that’s not the whole truth. Evil exists. I often say that anyone who doubts original sin needs to spend time with toddlers. They’re terrible people: selfish, mean, and hot-tempered. They have to be taught to be nice. How many times do you hear a mom correcting her children to be kind, don’t tease your sister, and don’t harass the cat.

In the verse above Jesus has just been explaining that it’s not the food we eat that makes us unclean, it’s our hearts. Most of us go through life without committing any of the big sins in deed, but boy, if someone could read our thoughts … It’s tempting to think that it’s the world that influences us to do wrong. But this is a complete misunderstanding of sin and the fall. It’s in us to do wrong. But for the Grace of God, we are all capable of great evil. It’s why we so desperately need Jesus.

The world is full of temptations and bad influences. While these may facilitate our sin, maybe even amplify our sins into ones of deed and not of thought, they are not the source. Our hearts are. What can we do? Face the fact that the sin is in you, repent, put your faith in the saving Grace of Jesus Christ and lean on Him for the strength to turn from the path you are on and walk in the light.

As parents, we often see our children struggle with sin and we focus on the temptations we see leading them astray. It’s hard not to call out their video games, friends, or social media for encouraging their sinful behavior, but we need to get to the source, their heart. 

Jesus met people where they were, led them to feel the conviction of their sin, and then forgave them. Our kids, our families, our friends, and our communities need to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We all need to resist the distractions our culture offers. These are targets that are tangential. We need to reach hearts.

The Bible clearly tells us our primary work is spreading the Gospel. Christ-followers need to be actively sharing the Gospel in our communities, in our circle of friends. That doesn’t mean you have to find a street corner and start preaching or handing out tracts. Ask God in your prayer time, how you can actively share the Gospel in your day to day life then be open to the Holy Spirit leading you to act or to speak. 

We don’t have to save the world. 

We need to tell the world of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

~*~
Author Bio:

Christa MacDonald is a 2017 ACFW Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction.

A native New Englander, she was inspired by her travels through the north woods of Maine to write The Broken Trail, which would become the first in the Sweet River Redemption series published by Mountain Brook Ink.

Christa's writing focuses on the real-life challenges of the modern world, love’s sometimes crooked path, and the redemptive power of Grace.

When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty.

She and her husband live with their three kids, two cats, and one dog along the coast of New England. Connect with Christa at www.christamacdonald.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: On Loving One Another like Jesus loves us!

Let Us Love One Another
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” 

– John 15:13 (KJV)

As I was driving to church for Bible Study the other night, my thoughts and prayers focused upon our nation and of the recent tragic events that have occurred. There is so much discussion given to the whys of aberrant behavior, but the fact remains we are losing many of our youth.

The enemy of our souls has always targeted our children. Years ago my dear grandmother used to say to me, “Child, the world is dying from the lack of love.” It has always been true…

And we know who is love. God is love. According to 1 John 4:7-8 (KJV) we are to love one another! That verse says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone who loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

According to these scriptures, it seems that those who love and are able to share their love with others know God. The world doesn’t recognize this kind of love and are totally unable to understand it. Agape love is a Greco-Christian term referring to love, "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God". The mark of a true believer is their willingness to love, to forgive others and to look beyond one’s self.

Not so many years ago, all of our institutions of higher learning in the United States of America were governed by the church. Today they have become battlegrounds fighting for the minds of our young. We may not be able to physically go to the battleground but we can pray and disrupt the enemy’s evil plans. The Holy Bible advises us to, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16 KJV)

Young people won’t be interested in coming to the “First Chosen Frozen Church” where there hasn’t been a smile seen in twenty years. Our youth are hurting, frightened and have few absolutes in their lives. Fatherless homes are fractured and the children receive no validation. The only true hope is Jesus Christ.

The church family is one of God’s greatest gifts, after Jesus who is our first and finest gift. We need to help our children to realize the love of God for them. The Bible says in Psalm 127:3 (NIV), “Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.”

It’s time for the local church to step up and reach out to the youth. We have a couple of churches in the area where I live who making an effort to reach our teens. One church in particular has made a real impact. What they’re doing perhaps others will follow suit. The music is loud, they have strobe lighting and I get a headache when I go, but kids are coming by the drones. They are being told that God is not mad at them, but mad for them. The results are amazing!

We have to work while it is yet day (John 9:4), for the time may come when we will not be permitted to minister to the lost. The Bible says in, 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV), “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”

In James 5:20 (ESV) the Bible also says, “Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” We are God’s hands and feet upon the earth. We’ve been commissioned to go and if not now, when?

We live in a fast-paced world. The challenges our kids face is unique from our generation. They face a different kind of enemy and it’s growing like a malignancy: social media.

And as with all things, there is good and bad. Let’s offer them a hand up not a push down. 

Let’s get serious in our prayers, in our youth groups and in all activities that include our youth. They are our future.

Let’s Pray: Father God, create in us a clean heart and a right spirit so that we may see others through your eyes. Help us to love the unlovely and lend a hand to those who are lost from you. In Jesus Christ’s Name we pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci is a poet and short story writer published in Cypress News, Family Times E-Zine, Free Verse and the Commonwealth of Poetry. 

She belongs to RWA, ACFW, and Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she’s enrolled in his novel writing program.

Nanci lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cats, Romeo and Juliette, along with their newest member of the family, Roni who is a seven-month-old Goldendoodle.

Recently, Nanci completed her debut novel, A Betrayal in Cross Keys. It is an Amish romance that she has placed in her agent's capable hands. The rest is up to God.

Devotionals for the Heart: The Depths

Going to the Depths with God
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." 
– Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV)

How deep are we willing to go for God?

Recently, a treasure hunter found a 2.2-carat emerald from a 1622 shipwreck off the coast of Florida. Depending on the quality, the emerald could be worth a few dollars or a few hundred thousand dollars. The ship once carried 40 tons of gold and silver worth in excess of $450 million. The wreck was first discovered in 1985, and it continues to yield treasures to this day. Read the story here.

Treasure seekers will go to great lengths and depths to find priceless treasures. Some even pay millions to be on excavations that may or may not yield a find. Why do they go with no guarantees? It’s the thrill and possible notoriety of a discovery – of being the one to find the most priceless jewel or coin on earth.

In fact, if someone offered an all-expense paid excavation to find such riches, most people would sign up. The world tells us we’d be crazy not to. It’s free! You have only to commit to the dive. Few wouldn’t go because it’s a journey that can change your life!

Yet, God daily offers us the same chance. He asks us to dive deep with Him into the depths of our hearts, into the great unknown. Most don’t want to go on God’s excavation because of what is buried deep within them. Why then can we believe for the buried treasures of the world, but lack the faith and courage to let the God take us on such a journey into our hearts?

Reasons for our reluctance are based on fear, feelings of unworthiness, doubt, lack of faith, or heart-diving methods we can’t understand. The Bible is a manual for the dive to explore with Him. Scripture tells us we will find Him “when we seek Him with all our heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV). That means to find Him we have to be willing to dive within our heart!

The power to dive deep is provided by the Holy Spirit “in your inner being” that makes you “rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17 ESV). It’s an all-expense paid journey that was purchased by Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross and redeemed through the belief in His resurrection. The promised yield is unconditional love and an eternal life with an immeasurable treasure stored up in Heaven.

Just like any dive into the depths, it may start out a little dark and scary, but fear not! His strength will enable you to comprehend the “breadth and length and height and depth” of all there is because your oxygen tanks will be filled with “the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19 ESV).

Allow yourself today to be weighted down by God’s grace, forgiveness, and love that can take you to unfathomable depths. He’s there, waiting to heal your heart and unearth His treasure from under your buried hurts and pain in order to show you riches beyond your wildest dreams. He’s guaranteed everything you find will be priceless.

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia. She teaches television production at C.D. Hylton Senior High School. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is a member of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), ACFW Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

Mirachelle is passionate about awakening creativity and the gifts of God in everyone. She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII, inspired by her time studying theatre education in London, England.

In her spare time, she also writes and directs Christmas and Easter passion plays at Christ Chapel Assembly of God in Woodbridge, Va.

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mirachelle77/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: A Question for all who want to follow Jesus Christ

Is He Enough?
A devotional by Glynis Becker

So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”
–John 6:67-69 (NASB)

Is Jesus enough?

Simple question, but one that is taking me my whole life to answer. Maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Maybe each day I must ask myself the same question: “If everything else were taken away from me today, would Jesus be enough?”

We sing this sentiment in hymns like “Give Me Jesus” and worship songs like “His Grace is Enough,” but singing it and living it are two different things, aren’t they? I don’t want to just sing the words, I want to live this way.

I recently read through John chapter 6, with that question on my mind. This chapter begins with the well-loved story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. He provided a miracle for that crowd. The story is recorded to give us an understanding of how Jesus knows what we need, wants to give it to us, and is able to take a small portion of what we offer and increase its reach.

But what if when I’m hungry, He doesn’t provide a miracle? Is Jesus still enough?

The next portion of the chapter is a story of the frightened disciples in a churning boat, the sea stirring around them because of strong winds. Jesus walks out on the water and tells them not to be afraid. When He gets in the boat, it is immediately, miraculously, on land, in the place they were heading for.

What if when I’m frightened, there is no immediate relief for me? Is Jesus still enough?

The chapter continues as the crowds follow Jesus and He tells them that He knows many of them are following simply because He gave them bread that filled their stomachs, but to really follow Him will require belief regardless of the miracles. They need to believe that the Father sent Him and He will be the Bread of Life to them through every circumstance. We need to believe the same thing.

So today, let’s ask ourselves the same question. Is Jesus enough? In our lives, our homes, our churches, our circumstances, our world? Is He enough?

I pray that as we answer that question for ourselves, we will say with the same passion as the Apostle Peter: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

Let’s Pray: Lord Jesus, give me the faith to know deep in my soul that You are all I need. Then give me the ability to live life so the world sees that You are the only Holy One. You are God. You are life. And You are hope. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume.

She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children.

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Stories from real-life that show how prayer works!

Prayer Works!
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
– James 5:14-15 (NIV)

My parents taught me to pray when I was a child. The family rituals included prayer. It was a part of our daily rhythm: Grace before meals. Family prayer before we parted in the morning. We prayed in family worship. We prayed before eating dinner and before the television came on. As children, we said our individual prayers before climbing into bed.

Prayer, Bible stories and later, Bible studies, were woven into the fabric of my life.

I witnessed the transforming power of prayer in two pivotal moments of my life. I credit my son with teaching the power of Psalm 50:15 and a Pakistani woman for revealing the faith described in James 5:14-15.

I used to drive a red Toyota Celica. I loved that car. I tended to it well. Regular oil changes, precise detailing several times a year. One day, I was changing the brakes on all four wheels. The car was on jack stands. All four wheels were off of the vehicle, strategically placed for safety.

My son and his friend had come around to see what I was doing. I noticed a few minutes later that they were joyously throwing rocks at the tree in the front yard. When I had finished installing the brake pads and was ready to put the wheels on, it occurred to me that the boys had not been throwing rocks. They had thrown my lug nuts all over the yard, 20 of them.

Infuriated, I called him over. I heard myself yelling at him. I remember saying, “You better pray that you find every one of those lug nuts for my wheels or…”

A few minutes later, I was aghast when I saw my son and his friend kneeling on the porch praying that they could find each one of those “thingys that Daddy needs for his car.”

Chagrined, but now concerned for their concept of God, I knelt by the car and asked God to help them find each one as well. If they didn’t find them, they might lose faith in God and be afraid of me.

They found them all in a short span of time. When they brought me the last one, I said let’s thank Jesus for helping you to find them. We prayed. Then my son said words that I shall never forget. He said, “Daddy you seemed surprised that we found them. You always told me to pray when I was scared or when I needed something. I was scared that you would spank me and God answered my prayer. I knew that He would.”

The second transformational moment happened while I was the Pastor at my fourth church. My office phone rang. I picked it up and said, “This is Pastor Anderson. How may I help you today?” A woman with a thick accent said “Pastor, my son, five years old, is sick. He has a high fever and we need you to come and pray for him.” In retrospect, my answer was faithless. I said, “If he has a high fever you should bathe him in tepid water. If that does not work, please take him to the hospital.”

Her response was full of faith and a little impertinence. She said “Pastor, we are simply following the word of God, first, like we do in my home country. Will you come, or shall I call another pastor?” Chastised, I asked for the address.

Upon arrival, the child’s Aunt greeted me at the door. I asked where the child was. I wanted to pray quickly so that they could get him to the hospital. The aunt told me that it was their culture that when a new guest comes to the house, we must have tea and cookies. Frankly, I was incredulous, but, providentially, I understood and did not resist. Conversation, tea and a few cookies later, I again inquired about the child. By now the mother had emerged and said that he was sleeping but still hot. With urgency, I suggested that we pray for him now.

I was ushered into the room where the boy lay sweating and appeared unconscious rather than asleep. I was concerned. I touched him and knew that his fever was too high. I pulled out my vial of oil. I anointed him and prayed that God would break the fever and restore vitality to the child. I prayed that he would be mentally sound and able to move and breathe without difficulty. After I said “Amen,” his mother dabbed at his head with a moist towel.

I suggested that they take him to the nearest hospital. They demurred. Perhaps there were issues, financial or legal that precluded them going to the hospital. The mother said to me, “Pastor you must have some more tea and cookies before you go.” I understood that as a cultural imperative. So I obeyed her demand. A few minutes after I sat down for another cup of tea, the little boy came walking out of the bedroom. He looked normal and focused. His mother ran over to him and hugged him. She felt his head and chest and fell to her knees thanking God for healing her son.

After the ecstatic prayer, the little boy said that he was hungry. His mother brought him to the table and gave him some cookies. It was then that the little boy looked up at me. He said, “Are you the man who prayed for me?” I said, “Yes, I am.” He knelt beside me and said, “Thank you, Jesus, for sending your prophet to pray for me like Elijah did for that little boy in the Bible. Amen.”

Tears were in my eyes. This little boy and his family had faith superior to my own, at the time.

Prayer works! Try it! Practice it! See how it works!

Make prayer your first line of defense when life happens.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Columbia Union College (WAU) in Takoma Park, Maryland. He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees–a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

Devotionals for the Heart: On Loving Everyone, including the outcasts

Rescuing the Outcasts
A devotional by Amanda Wen

“The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel.” 

–Psalm 147:2 (ESV)

I had never heard such a squawking ruckus in all my life.

I was about twelve years old, biking with my family at a nearby park that summer evening. The shrieks and honks alerted us to the presence of a young Canadian goose, still covered with downy gray fluff, being chased away by a pack of hissing, flapping adult geese. The rejected gosling was running for his life, but it was clear he had no shot against the furious flock at his heels.

Fortunately for the little outcast, my dad stepped in. He chased off the adults, wrangled the gosling, quickly biked home to get our car, and brought him home with us for the night. The young goose—who we nicknamed Waddles—snuggled down for the night in a plastic bin, greeted the next dawn with enthusiastic peeping, and stole all our hearts.

We couldn’t keep him as a pet, though, much as we might have wanted to. So that day we called an acquaintance who ran a local wildlife rehabilitation facility. He retrieved the gosling, cared for him, and eventually gave the little guy a safe home with a new, welcoming family of Canadian geese.

That incident reminds me so much of Jesus. Throughout His time on earth, He rescued those the world had tossed aside. The blind and the deaf. The lame and the leprous. Women. Children. Members of ethnic groups He, as a Jew, was supposed to despise. Jesus welcomed them all with open arms and met them with the message that God loved them. He hadn’t forgotten them, and He offered them forgiveness from sin and a chance at a brand-new life. The woman who bled for twelve years. The man possessed by a legion of demons. The Samaritan woman at the well. The children the disciples wanted to chase away. All these outcasts—and countless more—came away from their encounters with Jesus forever changed.

But I also find that incident convicting. Do I, as someone whose life has been changed by Jesus, have the same heart for the outcast that He does? Do I look around in the midst of my busy life to reach out to those who, for whatever reason, don’t meet our society’s mold of “acceptable?” Do I share the same message of love, redemption, and the opportunity for forgiveness during my interactions with them?

Jesus rescued me when I was an outcast. A sinner, rebelling against Him. He met me when I had no hope and gave me a new life, a new purpose, and a new eternal destiny. 

As a child of God, I need to be intentional about seeing the outcast. The downtrodden. The ignored. Those our society—and even our churches—may deem “less than.”

And once I’ve found them, it is my joy—and my sacred responsibility—to share the same message of unconditional love and complete forgiveness that I have received, in hopes that these former outcasts will be brought into a similar life-changing encounter with Him.

~*~
Author Bio:

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of contemporary inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. 

A first place winner in the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest, she also placed first in the 2017 Phoenix Rattler Contest, the 2017 Great Expectations Contest, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions Contest, among others. In addition, she was a finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest.

Amanda is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She’s also been spotted onstage with the worship team at recent ACFW conferences. Amanda is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

In addition to her writing, Amanda maintains an active and rewarding career as a freelance cellist, frequently performing with symphony orchestras, string quartets, and her church’s worship team. She lives in the Midwest with her amazing husband and their three adorable and hilarious Wenlets.

~*~
Connect with Amanda:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoramandawen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authoramandawen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandawen
Website: www.amandawen.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Plants and the Master of Deception

The Hose, The Frog, And The Fern
A devotional by Heather Martin

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

–Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

I love plants!

My husband and I have planted some new things around our yard this summer like some beautiful hydrangeas, waxed leaf ligustrum trees, strawberries, herbs and tomatoes. 

Recently, we decided to hang gigantic Boston ferns from our covered porches.

The most needy of our new plants have proven to be the ferns! They require lots of water, almost every day or else you can quickly notice the leaves will begin to brown and shed. Every day, we do the work to climb in between the bushes that line the side of our house to turn on the hose and bring it up to the porch to water the ferns.

I am always on guard when I step between the bushes, being careful not to unexpectedly tread upon a snake or another creature! As I squeezed through the bushes this time was no different. I reached my hand in to turn on the water, and as I did, I came face to face with a frightened small green frog that was happily hiding behind the gutter that hangs right in front of the water spout.

Frightened, I jumped back as quickly as I could, leaving the hosepipe to do a spraying-water–everywhere-dance! I kept reasoning with myself that I was brave enough to go back in there and turn it off. As I peeked back in behind that gutter where the little frog was, he looked as scared as me and as if he were thinking, “Please don’t see me, please don’t see me.” Anyway, I petitioned my husband to come to the rescue and turn off the hose for me.

Sometimes, things aren’t really what they seem at first glance. Especially in nature! Every day, we probably come into contact with animals and insects that are made to camouflage and so we never see just how close we are to them. Thank goodness it was only a frog, but this little frog got me to thinking about how sneaky Satan is.

Satan is always trying to disguise himself, to camouflage himself into our lives in hopes that we don’t recognize him. He would love for us to believe that he doesn’t even exist!

Just like that little green frog, Satan blends into our lives through our every day activities such as social media, music, TV shows, recreation, food, etc. and he says, “Please don’t see me, please don’t see me.” He is the master of deception and seeks to take over our lives in even subtle ways. It is his aim to permeate every area single area of our lives, through every single sense. And everyone is free game for him.

But there is hope for us because with God’s help, we cannot be deceived!

Here is a short list of ways in which you can identify where Satan might be camouflaging himself in your life:

#1: Shine a light.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” –Psalm 119:105 (NIV). Spend some time reading God's Word (The Holy Bible) every day.

#2: Guard yourself.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” –1 Peter 5:8 (NIV). Pay attention and be aware of people, situations or things that make you feel far from God.

#3: Pray.

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” –Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV). Just like I had to call for my husband to rescue me, we can call on God anytime because He is waiting to help us.

So as you go through your day, know that Satan is looking to blend into your surroundings to cause fear, self-doubt, and to cause you to fall. But be encouraged and ask for God’s protection, it will surround you on every side.

~*~
Author Bio:

Heather Martin was born the last of six siblings in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was raised by an amazing single mother (Rebecca Trotter) and was taught at an early age to love God and how to sing! 

She graduated from Oakwood University with a Bachelors Degree in Language Arts Education and later received a Master’s Degree in Education from Kaplan University.

Shortly after graduating she followed God’s call to minister. She joined the Stellar, Dove, and Grammy-nominated gospel group Virtue, which was founded by her two older sisters Ebony Holland and Karima Kibble several years prior. Virtue has used their talents to spread the love of God across the world! They have recorded 7 studio albums and have been the recipients of numerous awards.

God has not only blessed Heather professionally, but personally. She met her husband, Dr. Colin Martin, and they have been married for 14 years. They have four children: Colin Jr. 11, Harper 10, Clark, 7, and Charleston 5. In 2016 Heather started an online blog and vegan and allergen-friendly cooking channel called “Chef Mommy.” Heather (Chef Mommy) has cooked with numerous celebrities and top chefs to spread the news of healthy cooking and lifestyle.

In addition to this busy schedule, Heather enjoys, running, reading, writing and spending time with her family.

~*~
Connect with Heather:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTMartin
Instagram for Heather: https://www.instagram.com/thechefmommy/
Instagram for Virtue (Heather’s singing group): https://www.instagram.com/virtuegirls
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chefmommyhm

Devotionals for the Heart: Potential

Discovering Your True Potential
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
–Matthew 16:18 (NLT)

Potential. I love the possibilities available with that word. It holds out hope and promise. Has someone ever seen something in you that you didn’t see? Has someone been kind enough to tell you that you’d be good at something and it made you see yourself in a different light?

This summer, we are preparing to send my son to his senior year of high school. As we prepare, I’m feeling grateful that a few years ago a teacher saw something in him that we probably never would have. She gave him the encouragement to try something that has given him direction and focus, as well as a possible career that will help others. Her ability to see his potential, and a few words to tell him that, have made a huge difference in his life.

In the verses above, I love that Jesus Christ gives Peter a hint of the future He sees in him—as a rock, steady enough to build His church on. Peter is one of the most relatable characters in the Bible, because in his weaknesses—his impatience, his temper, his reactions—we see ourselves.

Jesus, being God, has the perfect vantage point to see everything that Peter had been, who he is in that moment, but also who he would become.

Jesus knew Peter would not remain the way he was. He would become a preacher, an evangelist, a foundation for the faith of generations to come.

What must Peter have felt hearing those words from Jesus? To tell a fisherman from Galilee, “I love you. I know you. I see the amazing person you will be as you let Me work through you. What a story you will have to tell!”

What story is Jesus telling through you today? Do you need to hear the encouragement from Him that You are here for a reason? Or is it your turn to speak those words of potential to someone in your life?

So often we want to see the worst in people, especially people who aren’t like us.

Be on the lookout today, making an effort to see the best in someone—maybe an acquaintance, maybe a family member, maybe someone you don’t even really like. Look for a quality or a characteristic or a potential in them. Say something about it. They may not know that they are or could be really good at something.

Your words of encouragement about their potential may change their world!

Let’s Pray: Dear Living God, do a work in each of us today. Give me eyes to see the best in those around me, and myself. Let me live in the grace that You are changing me day by day into the person You see when You look at me. I love You for what you are doing in me! Please give me grace with others who You are working on as well. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume.

She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children.

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Blessed

Blessed
A devotional by Victoria Bylin

“Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” –Psalm 84:4-7 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a spiritual valley—that place where God seems far away and the mountaintop experience is almost forgotten? I’m pretty sure the answer is “Yes!” In fact, I should probably ask how many valleys you’ve traveled through in your Christian walk, rather than “if.” Valleys are part of our journey as Christ-followers. 

My husband and I have been through more than a few valleys in our lifetime. They usually involved finances, careers, and big moves, but we’ve also grieved loved ones and wept for lost dreams.

More than any other verses in the Bible, the beauty of Psalm 84 brings me comfort. I can still hear the pastor at one of our first churches bellowing from the pulpit, “Blessed men go through the valley.” The key word there is through. A valley comes to an end, and that’s encouraging. But the other key word is blessed.

What does that word really mean? As Christians, we use that word al lot, usually in the context of something good, or an experience—the birth of a child, healing from an illness, even a bargain on a car or new pair of shoes. Those are nice things to have for sure, but the word “blessed” encompasses much more.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the Greek word makarios. The word “makarios” means to be happy or blissful, but it implies much more than an emotion or a reaction. Blessed is a state of being that’s complete unto itself. It’s not dependent on circumstances, good health, possessions, or anything. It’s a deep contentment that stays with us regardless of our circumstances.

Cancer is a valley. But blessed men and women go through it. We don’t stop being blessed when life gets hard, or even when we lose it and cry and grieve.

Regardless of what is happening externally, we can be at peace internally. Is that easy? No! I’m quite sure many a blessed man and woman has cried their eyes in a hospital room, over a job loss, or at a funeral. I know I have. But as a blessed people, we also have the deepest kind of peace—the knowledge that the Lord is with us in the valley.

This wonderful Psalm talks about making the valley “a place of springs.” Springs refresh us. They provide living water. It’s God’s presence in our lives that enables us to get through tough times. In no way is blessedness dependent on us! It’s a gift from God, and for that I am grateful—both for the valleys and the springs.

~*~
Author Bio:

Victoria Bylin is the author of 18 traditionally published romances. Known for tackling difficult subjects with great compassion, she delights in stories that shine the spotlight of God’s love on ordinary men and women facing realistic challenges.

Writing has always been a part of Victoria’s life. As a child, she wrote hundreds of letters and scribbled in journals. As an adult, she worked as a freelance journalist and editor before taking on the challenge of fiction.

She had one goal when she started her first novel: to finish a book-length manuscript, good or bad. That first effort will never see the light of day, but it led to a second manuscript and a sale to Harlequin Historical. Since then, she has written westerns and contemporary romances for both mainstream and Christian publishers, with Together With You winning the 2016 Inspirational Readers Choice Award for Best Contemporary.

Writing is a joy and a challenge for Victoria, but faith, friends and family matter to her far more. She’s a wife, mom, proud grandmother, and a dog-mom to a wacky Jack Russell Terrier. Originally from California, she and her husband currently make their home in Lexington, Kentucky. When she’s not writing, Victoria enjoys long walks, travel, and dark chocolate.

~*~
Connect with Victoria:
Website: https://www.victoriabylin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Victoria.Bylin.Author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VictoriaBylin
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/victoria-bylin
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/568102.Victoria_Bylin

Devotionals for the Heart: How to live a life led by The Holy Spirit

The Spirit-Led Life
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air. and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” 
–Genesis 1:26-27 (KJV)

Every human has three parts: body, soul and spirit. We are made in the likeness of God. Jesus Christ said that God is a Spirit. According to John 4:24 (KJV), “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” 

But how do we as Christ-followers live a life led by God's Holy Spirit?

I’ve spent a lot of time wondering how one can worship and live a Spirit-led life in a world fraught with uncertainty, fear, distrust, pain, suffering and evil pushing against the walls of our hearts.

What exactly does it take to live a sanctified life?

I imagined a state of perpetual prayer and never leaving your prayer closet. When stresses of life began to push us to the edge, we need to learn God’s way of coping. I began to read what God’s Word (The Holy Bible) had to say and I also read commentaries on living a Spirit-led life. My research led me to a few conclusions.

I found in my study many questions that I’d never asked.

Does the Holy Spirit condemn you if you do wrong as a Christian?

No, it’s your spirit that condemns you. God said in His Word that He’d send us a Comforter, The Holy Spirit, who is here to help us, not accuse and condemn. I’m certain all of us have felt the pangs of guilt after we’ve erred. Don’t condemn yourself, make the correction then and ask the Father to forgive you. He will. We need not carry so much guilt because God sent His Spirit to help show us the way.

According to John 14:16 (AMP), Jesus said, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby) that He may remain with you forever.” 

We need to become more conscious of the fact that we are spirit beings, and not just physical or mental beings.

We spend a lot of time on our physical bodies. We diet. We purchase products that make outlandish claims to ensure we look a certain way. We study and make higher education beyond necessity. Often, we place tremendous burdens on our youth by pushing them further than many can go. Even our educational system stresses the importance of having the best grades along with being accepted to the best schools. 

The point that I’m making is, we neglect our spirit while we build our physical and mental beings. There are rules by which you can develop and train your own human spirit. Practice them until they become a part of your day just as bathing and brushing your teeth. Once you incorporate them, living a Spirit-led life will become much easier.

Rule #1 is to meditate on the Word. I read somewhere that if you ever want to do anything great in life, take time to meditate on the Word of God. In other words, think about His Word.

Rule #2 is to practice the Word. There are many “talkers” of the Word but not many “doers” of the Word. We are admonished by God as it is written in James 1:22 (KJV) to be doers of the Word. “But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” You cannot be a doer of the Word and continue to talk unbelief. Speak faith.

Rule #3 is to give the Word first place in your life. There are rich dividends for giving God’s Word first place in your life. His Word is alive and is medicine to our bones.

According to Hebrews 4:12 (KJV), “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

In Proverbs 4:20-22 (KJV) it is written, “My son attend to my words, incline thine ear to my sayings. Let them not depart eyes, keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”

Rule #4 is to instantly obey the voice of your spirit.

The human spirit has a voice. We call that voice conscience. When we get saved and experience the New Birth, our conscience is quickened. We gradually begin to recognize what has always been there. We were born knowing intuitively right from wrong. Before salvation, The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and reveals to us our need for forgiveness and that Jesus is the answer to the forgiveness. After salvation, The Holy Spirit literally comes and resides in us. He is our Counselor and Guide, pointing us to Jesus Christ.

If you have had the privilege of meditating in God’s Word, practicing His Word putting His Word first then The Holy Spirit who lives within you (1 Corinthians 6:19), is an authoritative guide.

If you follow these four rules and practice them, after a while you can know the will of God even in the minor details of life. 

I hope that you have found these rules to be helpful as you strive for success in life and seek to live a Spirit-led life.

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci is a poet and short story writer published in Cypress News, Family Times E-Zine, Free Verse and the Commonwealth of Poetry. 

She belongs to RWA, ACFW, and Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she’s enrolled in his novel writing program.

Nanci lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cats, Romeo and Juliette, along with their newest member of the family, Roni who is a seven-month-old Goldendoodle.

Recently, Nanci completed her debut novel, A Betrayal in Cross Keys. It is an Amish romance that she has placed in her agent's capable hands. The rest is up to God.

Thankful Thursdays: HOPE Eternal

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful for HOPE but not the kind of fleeting hope of the heart for things we want to have or experience here on Earth…I am thankful for the eternal hope that only accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior can give you.

What brought this on, you may ask?

So glad you asked! The answer is reflection. I’ve been reflecting on words about life and death that I’ve heard over the years and I’ve been thinking about what to say in response that would help people understand why there is hope eternal available to us but we have accept Jesus into our lives to have it.

My reflections that led me to write this blog post today are several. I remembered that one day in my first career as an educator, there was a teacher who told his students something that I still recall today. A student complained to the teacher about something he did that the student thought was unjust. The student cried out, “But that’s not fair!” to which the much older teacher who had been seasoned by life responded, “Life’s not fair and then you die!”

I also recall that time in the teacher’s lounge at a school where I as a substitute teacher (I worked as a "sub" before studying to become a full-time teacher). We were on lunch break. The conversation amongst the teachers in the lounge was about how to live longer and one of the male teachers who walked in on the conversation told his colleagues with a side helping of cynicism, “Everybody dies!” Then he walked out.

Finally, I recall a conversation that I had as an adult with an older friend. She told me that she doesn’t believe in life after death. She believes that after you die, that’s it ... No resurrection by Jesus Christ, no hope of Heaven or fear of hell. So she makes the most of every day because she believes that life is precious.

Now, what is wrong with these scenarios and real-life views? To the people who believe these views nothing is wrong with it for them because everybody is entitled to believe what they want. However, as a person whose life has been not only saved but enriched by a relationship with Jesus Christ, I cannot imagine what it’s like to live with no hope eternal.

I cannot imagine that I’d never see my loved ones who have died again because of the theory that there’s no life after death. I cannot imagine going through all the trials and tribulations here on Earth then knowing that after I die there’s no hope of Jesus Christ returning to Earth to take His faithful followers home to Heaven where we will live with Him in healthy, immortal bodies forever. I cannot imagine that God will not do what He says He will do in His Word (The Holy Bible). I cannot imagine God not keeping His promises to give us eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16) because the Bible says that God does not lie (Numbers 23:19) like we as mere mortals do sometimes.

Even before dying, I cannot imagine living without the hope in Jesus Christ that helps me survive and keeps me alive. He protects me from so much. He gives me hope in seasons of despair. He adds to my quality of life and helps me love others and treat others the way that I would want to be treated.

A verse that came to my mind when I was reflecting on all of this today is found in
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV) where followers of Jesus Christ are admonished to not grieve as those who “have no hope.” It addresses the grief process that we all experience when a loved one dies. Before closing, I’d like to share the entire passage with you:

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

In the midst of my reflections, God impressed me with a personal lesson. He showed me that when situations in my life or in the world around me become overwhelming and I feel like I’m sinking into despair, I should NOT feel hopeless. 

I realized that I have a choice: I can allow the issues of life to overwhelm me and feel hopeless OR I can choose to trust God who is Lord over ALL as I remember that no situation is ever hopeless because He is our Eternal Hope.

Please note: If any of you are dealing with chronic illness, depression, despair or any problem that makes you feel like you’re in the dark then do not only pray about, ask God to lead you to a medical professional who can help you. I’ve heard it said many times in real life and on social media that “It’s okay to talk to Jesus (Christ) and a therapist!” Don’t think that you have to handle the storms of life alone. You don’t! You have God and you can be under the care of people who God’s gifted on this Earth to be professional doctors, counselors, therapists, nutritionists, personal trainers…all to help you in every area of life!

In closing, I’d like to share this beautiful song by Terrian. It’s called “God with Us.” 

I hope that her kind, soothing voice will bless your heart and that the message in this song will help you get a glimpse of hope eternal!

Love,

Alexis A. Goring
Founder of "God is Love" blog